ADIT Albie - Bonnie Sue/Jack 2016

*From Assistant Dog in Training (ADIT) Albie's temporary handler, Randi. Veterans Moving Forward (VMF) and their volunteer handlers work with their ADIT pups for up to two years before placing the pup they have cared for in the hands of a veteran. Many thanks to Donna (Prince and Vincent's handler) and Randi (Albie's temporary handler) for the work, care, and love you put into these precious Snitker Goldens. 

I sent my father-in-law a picture of Albie a month or two ago and his response was that the puppy looks ‘wise.’  I think that’s a great way to describe Albie if you could only use one word.  He is quite intelligent – picks up commands super quickly and remembers them well.  He likes to work every morning, practicing what he’s learned.  When I taught him to ‘get dressed’ (put on his jacket) we started with an old scarf of mine. I held it in a loop in front of him and lured him to put his head through it.  I had that scarf loosely looped around my neck yesterday and it fell forward when I bent over.  Albie ran up to me, quickly put his head through the loop with mine and looked up for some praise.  I think he has a wonderful sense of humor hiding behind those dark eyes.

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Albie voting...

Church library mascot

Parade Day!

This month Albie has started going more places with me, beginning with a trip to the polls on Election Day.  Each week we go to Sunday school together or work in the church library.  (Yes, he’s got a fan club!  Veterans Moving Forward is a mission partner of Vienna Presbyterian Church and a lot of the members now look for him each week.)  We attend meetings together and this afternoon we’ll visit the Orvis store, which welcomes all dogs.  Albie really likes to ride in the car.
 
When not working…..well, do you know the expression, “if you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch”?  Albie will never be on the porch.  He LOVES playing with the older, much bigger ADITs and joyfully did so in the break room at Cocktails with Canines this month.  They were twice his size and that was in no way intimidating for him.  Other loves?  Playing tug of war with Steve’s and my Schneagle, Fritzl, and playing hide & seek in the house with me.  The tail never wags faster than when he hears me laugh and say, “You found me!”  
 
Albie is loving and fun and smart.  It will be tough to turn him over to his permanent raiser next month, but I’m so grateful I’ll still get to see him on occasion and will hopefully have an opportunity to sit for him when Leann needs help.

​- Randi